Bob Sherman wrote (October 11, 2001):
[To Mark Zimmerman] Sound is good but I'm disappointed by the performance. I went into it having heard only his spectacular #42, and his CO definitely is not on that level of inspiration. That being said, I know of no CO recording that I find fully satisfying.

Donald Satz wrote (October 11, 2001):
[To Bob Sherman] I don't see how any version could be 'fully' satsifying. That said, my favored version is from Gardiner who does a great job with the more exuberant and ceremonial elements of the work; also, his vocal soloists are excellent. Herreweghe and Koopman also give fine performances. I'm not as taken with Jacobs whose soloists are the least effective of these four sets.

Bob Sherman wrote (October 11, 2001):
[To Donald Satz] Maybe not, but I have versions of the b minor, SMP, and SJP that make that grade. I would have trouble with the four versions you cite in that CO is a trumpet showpiece, particularly the chorale in the first cantata and thejoyful swaggering finale in the sixth, and while the Maurice Andre Archiv performance from the early 1960s is the only one I've heard that lives up to what Bach wrote, my reaction to attempts to play CO on a natural trumpet is always one of pafrticularly acute disappointment and frustration. But that's a debate we don't need to review again.

Michael Grover wrote (October 11, 2001):
[To Donald Satz] I recently bought the Sixteen's performence, conducted by Harry Christophers, from BRO based on Yoel's recommendation. (http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Vocal/BWV248-Gen2.htm, scroll all the way to the bottom for Yoel's comments) I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but I will post a reaction as soon as I do. Just in time for holiday seasons coming up!

Peter Bright wrote (October 12, 2001):
[To Donald Satz] I have only a single recording of the Christmas Oratorio - by Suzuki. I would be interested in the comments of others who have heard both this and the Gardiner, Herreweghe or Rilling recordings as I am intending to buy one of these over the next week or so. Preferences? My other choice would be to go for a non-HIP performance, to place alongside the Suzuki - I have much of Richter's output, but, strangely, not the CO - given the heavenly trumpets abounding in this work, Karl might be an exciting prospect... Any thoughts warmly welcomed.

Thierry van Bastelaer (October 12, 2001):
[To Peter Bright] A good non-HIP (or more precisely, HIP on modern instruments) is Corboz on Erato.